Raiders rely on strong start to create momentum in sweeping Blue Devils in crossdown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame middle hitter Eva Breckenkamp, left, gets challenged at the net by Quincy High School's Ayanna Douglas during Monday night's crosstown showdown at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach Danielle White’s suit was fit for the occasion. So was the Raiders’ performance. The Raiders blitzed Quincy High School in the first set and staved off a late Blue Devils rally in the second set to win 25-16, 25-22 on Monday at the QHS gym. White took Pink…

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QND knocks off unbeaten Macomb, gains some revenge for last season’s disappointing finish

Annie Eaton, right and Ashlyn Peters, left, celebrate after a point during Quincy Notre Dame's win over Macomb Wednesday night at The Pit. — Photo by Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Redemption tasted pretty sweet. So did healing the wounds from the way last season ended. The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team avenged its loss to Macomb in the 2023 Class 2A regional championship game by sweeping the Bombers 25-21, 25-16 on Wednesday at The Pit. “They wanted this more than anything,” Raiders first-year…

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Eaton’s instincts lead to tide-turning moment as Raiders sweep Panthers in WCC match

Quincy Notre Dame middle hitter Lauren Hummel, left, looks to hit the ball over the block of Camp Point Central during Monday's West Central Conference match at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Annie Eaton’s volleyball acumen continues to amaze first-year Quincy Notre Dame coach Danielle White. For a handful of points during Monday’s West Central Conference match against Camp Point Central, Eaton, normally a setter, found herself at outside hitter in a rotation White likes to implement from time to time.  “I remember this summer…

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‘You have to have that confidence’: Raiders bring swagger, experience to volleyball court

Led by senior setter Annie Eaton, center, the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team expects big things from a talented lineup. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Danielle White feels like she is right where she belongs, but sometimes it doesn’t seem real. “I catch myself like, ‘Is this really happening?’” White said. The former Carthage Middle School volleyball coach took the reins of the Quincy Notre Dame program in March, and from the first day she stepped foot on…

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One Keck of an effort: Raiders win home opener behind quality serve receive from junior libero

Quincy Notre Dame junior libero Kourtney Keck gets the offense started with a serve receive during the second set of Thursday night's sweep of West Hancock at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As often as Kourtney Keck sprawled out in an attempt to dig up every shot that came her way, she was bound to leave The Pit on Thursday night with some floor burns. “A couple,” the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team’s junior libero said. She shrugged that off. “That’s not unusual,” she said.…

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Raiders embrace need to alter ending in their pursuit of state tournament success

Quincy Notre Dame junior setter Annie Eaton will engineer an offense that is expected to be dynamic enough to help the Raiders make another run at a state tournament berth. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — George Santayana is credited with saying it. Courtney Kvitle is echoing it. And the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball players are embracing it. So what is the mantra the early 20th century philosopher popularized that rings true today? Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. The Raiders clearly haven’t forgotten.…

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‘You could taste it’: QND lets late lead get away in third set of super-sectional

Members of the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team can't hide their feelings after the final point of Friday night's Class 2A super-sectional game at Clinton High School. | David Adam

CLINTON, Ill. — Four points. Four lousy, stinkin’ points. The Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball team dominated the first set, overcame a disastrous second set and rebounded to lead 21-15 in the third set of Friday night’s Class 2A super-sectional volleyball match at Clinton High School. “You could taste it,” senior captain Maggie Drew said.…

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Eaton’s save propels QND volleyball team to first super-sectional bid since 2017

The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team celebrates after scoring the final point of the first set during Wednesday's sectional at Knoxville High School. | David Adam

KNOXVILLE, Ill. — The score was about to be tied. Instead of setting the ball to Kennedy Adair, Macomb’s Avery Rexroat opted to use her left hand to dump the ball deep and into the corner of the Quincy Notre Dame backcourt. Once the ball landed on the floor, Macomb would tie the first set…

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